Kilpatrick River Withdrawn From Irish Event Team

Elizabeth Power’s event horse Kilpatrick River will not be competing at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games next week due to an injury, according to Horse Sport Ireland.

The horse arrived at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Sunday but was lame following exercise on Monday. He was treated overnight, but there was insufficient improvement in the injury and the decision has now been taken to withdraw the horse.

Ireland has six eventing horses at the Games with four of these to compete as part of the team and the other two as individuals. The withdrawal of Liz Power and Kilpatrick River reduces the Irish contingent to five. Horse Sport Ireland’s High Performance Manager Ginny Elliot will decide on the four to make up the team nearer to the competition, which begins on Sept. 30.

Elliot said that the injury was a huge blow to Power and a loss to the Irish squad. “Liz is one of our most promising up-and-coming young riders, and aside from the loss to the squad at these games it would have been great for Liz to get further championship experience, but it is not to be on this occasion” she said. “While this reduces our team options I am still very happy with the five remaining combinations we have here who all traveled well and are in good order.”